The Guests of War Trilogy
by: Kit Pearson
War is an all encompassing event. It effects the every day people who it is happing around to such a great extent that those who haven't been in it don't even understand. The Guests of War Trilogy is three books that follow the effects that world war had on two very young children. The trilogy by Kit Pearson follows the lives of Norah and Gavin Stoakes as they are sent away to Canada when there parents are hoping to save them from the effects world war II is having on England.
The first book is called The Sky is Falling. It is told from the perspective of Norah. She is ten and all her life all she has know is the war. She wan't more than anything to be helpful like her older sisters but she is still a child and doesn't realize the full danger that even she can feel. She is devastated when her parents decide to send her and her 5 year old brother to Canada to be safe. Life is even harder when she feels that the family she is living with doesn't want her around.
This story is very honest about the way a child feels about the danger around them. They know and feel more than there parents understand. They want to be brave and helpful. Don't want there friends to think they are cowards or are running away. Even when they really are scared. The trip to Canada wasn't an easy one, and then to over hear the wrong words being said by adults doesn't help a kid feel comfortable and welcome. The descriptions of Toronto locations paints a clear picture, expectingly to those of us who know Toronto well. It's fun to feel the excitement of a kid who's learning about the great parts of Canada traditions. I am finding that I like reading books about Toronto a lot. It's a really easy setting for me to read about and it's fun to know exactly where they are to more extent than just a map.
The second book, Looking at the Moon, takes place when Norah has lived in Canada for three years. It is summer vacation and they are spending at a cottage in Muskoka. Norah loves this cottage more than anything in the world she feels so safe and free. A distant Cousin who she hasn't me before is about to come visit, but the glowing admiration for him from everyone in the family makes her decide that he can't possibly be that perfect and that she hats him. His carefree kindness makes this a rather hard thing to do, especially when she finds her heart having a different plan.
This story is a lot of the normal "growing up" story's. A girl has a crush on someone much older, how couldn't possibly feel the way she does. Even if he cares about her as a friend. There is the added pressure of the war and its presence on her family. Both her Host and real family. The strain that young men all over the world felt about being forced into joining a war, being people they don't want to be because they felt the need to protect those they cared about. We who are safe and secure always think that if no one fought there would be no war... but there will always be people who feel strongly about there vision for the world. If those that disagree don't fight the ones who want to harm us will win.
The Lights go on Again, focus on Gaven. Gaven is Ten. He is the same age as Norah was when they came to Canada and is about to be faced with the same kinds of problems she first had when arriving here. The war is coming to an end and he is getting really worried. All he clearly remembers about England is the feeling of continuous fear. The idea of returning to the family who all tell him is his but he doesn't know in anything but letters is a scary idea. He longs to stay in Canada but doesn't know how to tell this to people.
It's hard to move so far away from those you know care about you. When you aren't even old enough to remember the people who are your family going back to them feels as scary as it was leaving in the first place. Seeing Gaven's struggle about where his future would take him felt very true and real.
I personally know a lady who was sent to Canada as a child during this same war. She stayed here after, her own personal story lost in the ages like so many others. This trilogy gives a good feel, even if it is fictional, of what life was like to take such a journey for safety.
